Pharmacy Technician - Minneapolis, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

The Outpatient Rotational Pharmacy Technician is a highly trained technician responsible for a variety of functions in the outpatient pharmacy. These include dispensing/distribution of medications/supplies/related products, operation of various technologies/automation, entering patient notes, and other technical functions under the supervision of a pharmacist. This role provides cross coverage in multiple areas

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

03/05/2024 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$54,228 - $70,499 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 7

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Location

• Minneapolis, MN
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0661 Pharmacy Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSY KW

• Control number

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This job is open to

• Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Applicants will be referred in the following order: FIRST - Current, permanent employees of the Minneapolis VAHCS (including satellites) and Veterans Health Administration current, permanent employees SECOND - Department of Veterans Affairs current, permanent employees THIRD - Other Federal employees

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Duties

Pharmacy Technician:

• Maintains competence in all operational aspects of outpatient pharmacy distribution services and assists with the dispensing and distribution functions of technician staff in the central outpatient pharmacy area and remains proficient in each role
• Provides cross-coverage for the Lead Controlled Substance Technician. Fills controlled substance prescriptions, completes record keeping and maintains accuracy of inventory. Reports any unusual occurrence or confirmed prescription or filling discrepancy to a supervisor
• Assists with technical functions that support Outpatient Clinical Pharmacists
• Works and communicates effectively with others while remaining courteous, tactful, and understanding when interacting with others, even in potentially difficult/volatile situations.
• Assists the Outpatient Pharmacy Technician Supervisor in the implementation of all Pharmacy Service policies and procedures while assuring compliance with applicable standards (for example, Drug Enforcement Administration, Joint Commission, Office of the Inspector General, etc.) and VA handbooks and directives.
• Assists the Outpatient Pharmacy Technician Supervisor with all necessary pharmacy technician orientation and training occurs associated with the central outpatient pharmacy area.
• Ensures all equipment (eg, dispensing automation, mailing equipment, etc.) is operated in accordance with safe and effective operating procedure and routine preventative maintenance is performed where appropriate. Serves as a point of contact for trouble-shooting equipment issues as they arise.
• Reports actual and/or potential medication errors and adverse events utilizing the facility's reporting systems. Participates in quality improvement initiatives to promote patient safety.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, variable hours, rotating nights/evenings/weekends

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).Grade Determinations:GS-7 Pharmacy Technician

• Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. This experience includes but is not limited to:
• Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice;
• Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation;
• Use of pharmacy information systems or operating pharmacy dispensing equipment;
• Knowledge of basic inventory procedures;
• Communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. AND
• Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
• PTCB as a CPhT. OR
• NHA as a ExCPT.

AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate MUST demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
• Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
• Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.

It is HIGHLY recommended that the KSAs above be demonstrated on a supplemental document.

References: VA Handbook 5005/159 Part II appendix G28 11/7/2023The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (ie, medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (eg, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (eg, professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (eg, on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.